Green could be busy again

Bill Huber

09/17/2004

Ahman Green had better of enjoyed his rest Wednesday, because it could be another busy day for the Pro Bowl halfback on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.

Green's top backup, Najeh Davenport, was held out of practice again Thursday with the hamstring injury suffered in Monday night's opening victory at Carolina. With Davenport out of action in the second quarter Monday, Green wound up toting the ball 33 times. The Packers' goal is to keep Green limited to 28 touches per game. With two receptions Monday, Green got the ball on 35 plays.

"I don't know if we can do that every week. That would be kind of tough on him," offensive coordinator Tom Rossley said, stating the obvious.

Available to spell Green, should Davenport not be able to play, would be third-string running back Tony Fisher and backup fullback Nick Luchey. Luchey played some halfback in Cincinnati and has lined up at that position during practice this week.

Davenport is listed as questionable (50-50 chance he'll play) on the injury report. He said he will test the hamstring at practice Friday.

Seven other players are on the injury list. Offensive tackle Kevin Barry (ankle), linebacker Paris Lenon (thumb), linebacker Hannibal Navies (shoulder) and tight end David Martin (quadriceps) are probable (75 percent chance they will play). Of that group, only Barry and Lenon practiced Thursday.

Linebacker Torrance Marshall (hamstring) is questionable and defensive lineman Kenny Peterson (ankle) is doubtful (25 percent chance he will play). The eighth player on the list is defensive tackle Grady Jackson, who will miss at least a couple games with a dislocated left kneecap.